Gangtok: Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee on April 12 said government would speed up hydroelectric power projects as its target was to double power supply to one lakh MW in the next 10 years and "light every home and road in the country".

Speaking at a function to review the progress of the 510 MW Teesta hydroelectric stage five project at Singtam near Gangtok, he said the Rs 2,200 crore project completed by National Hydroelectric Power Corporation (NHPC) ahead of schedule, would accelerate progress in this North Eastern state and enable it to get 12 per cent free power.

"We want to speed up hydroelectric power as it is free from environmental pollution unlike that from coal," he said, adding Parliament had recently passed the Electricity Bill to streamline the power sector.

Stating that hydroelectric power would give a boost to the nation, Vajpayee said, "When world economy was declining, Indian economy was moving in the right direction."

Appreciating NHPC for its commendable work of completing the project ahead of schedule, he said, "Whatever work you take up, do it with sincerity as the entire world is looking at India. We have to move forward and light India."

Seeking to allay apprehensions that completion of the Teesta project could result in unemployment, he said, "There should be no cause for worry for those who apprehend loss of work because of completion of project ahead of time as all would be provided employment."

Speaking on the occasion, Governor V Rama Rao and Chief Minister Pawan Kumar Chamling thanked the Centre for assistance provided to the state and hoped that it would continue to do so as "We are far away and therefore, should be looked after."

Minister of state for Power Jaywantiben Mehta said the country has hydropower potential of 1.48 lakh MW but had only exploited 26,660 MW.

PTI